Jaguar XE

The Jaguar XE (X760) is a compact executive car manufactured by Jaguar Land Rover and marketed under their Jaguar marque from April 2015 until mid-2024 across a single generation.[4][5] It is a four-door saloon car with a front-mounted engine and either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

The successor to the X-Type, it was designed by Ian Callum and launched at the October 2014 Paris Motor Show.[6]

The XE is noted for its aluminium suspension componentry as well as its bonded-and-riveted unitary aluminium monocoque structure, without need for a reinforcing space frame, pioneered by Jaguar on their third generation XJ-series (X350; from 2002) — the first in its segment.[7][8]

Launch

The XE was announced, but not displayed, at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show[6] and debuted globally on 8 September 2014 in London.[9][10] Sales were expected to begin globally in 2015, followed by the United States in 2016.[11] Production formally commenced on 13 April 2015 at Jaguar Land Rover's Solihull plant.[4]

Production

The XE was the first Jaguar to be built at the factory in Solihull, which was to be dedicated to the manufacture of aluminium vehicles under both the Jaguar and Land Rover brands, including the second-generation Range Rover Sport. Due to high demand for the vehicle production capacity was increased by adding a line at Castle Bromwich Assembly.[12] Production transferred completely to Castle Bromwich in 2017 as part of a £100m refit.

An extended-wheelbase version—exclusively for the Chinese market—called XEL commenced production at the Chery Jaguar Land Rover plant in Changshu in 2015.[13]

Engines

The XE was the first application of Jaguar Land Rover's new 2.0 L turbocharged Ingenium four-cylinder engine.[14] The Ingenium technology licenses the Multiair/UniAir electrohydraulic variable valve lift system[15] from Schaeffler Group, which Schaeffler in turn licensed from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in 2001.[16] The system, developed by Fiat Powertrain Technologies, is a hydraulically actuated variable valve lift (VVL) technology enabling "cylinder by cylinder, stroke by stroke" control of intake air directly via an internal combustion engine's inlet valves.[17]

The four-cylinder is available in both petrol and diesel variants, in a range of different power outputs. The 163 PS diesel significantly reduced consumption and carbon emission figures, and is capable of fuel consumption less than 68.9 mpgimp and producing CO2 emissions of only 99 g/km.[18][19] The cleanest models in Britain pay no annual Vehicle Excise Duty.[8]

From the XE's launch until 2017 the petrol four-cylinders were from Ford's family of "EcoBoost" engines.[20][21] New Ingenium petrol engines replaced the Ford units beginning in the 2018 model year.[22]

From the XE's launch until 2019 the petrol V6 was from Jaguar's family of AJ-V8 engines.[23][24] After 2019, the V6 engine was no longer offered.[25]

In late 2020, mild hybrid options were announced, as modifications to the Ingenium 2.0L engines with an additional 48 Volt belt alternator starter system.[26]

Design

Construction

Security and safety

Jaguar expected the XE to obtain a five star Euro NCAP safety rating which was proven in 2015.[38] The design features several safety features now mandatory to be considered for a five star rating, including the Advanced Emergency Braking System (pre-crash system).[19]

The XE was tested by Thatcham's New Vehicle Security Ratings (NVSR) organisation and achieved the following ratings:

SV Project 8

A limited-production, high-performance version of the XE called SV Project 8 debuted at the 2017 Goodwood Festival of Speed.[40] The base car was modified by Jaguar Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) team, with carbon fibre body panels and aerodynamic aids including a front splitter and rear wing, carbon fibre and Alcantara interior trim, 400 mm carbon ceramic brake discs in front with six-piston calipers, unique 20-inch wheels with Michelin Sport Cup 2 tyres, and a supercharged and intercooled 592 hp version of the 5.0 L Jaguar AJ-V8.[41][42]

In the typical trim, the Project 8 has four leather-trimmed bucket seats, with the two front seats mounted on lightweight magnesium frames. A "track package", not available in the United States,[41] features a harness retention hoop in place of the rear seats, and carbon fibre racing seats with four-point competition harnesses installed in the front.[42]

Total production is limited to 300 worldwide.[42]

Worldwide sales

Gallery

External links